Can paintballs legally deter intrusive hookers?

Q: I live near Aurora Avenue North and on two different occasions have caught prostitutes and their clients either in my driveway (in a car) or in my yard.

Is it legal to shoot trespassers with a paintball gun, water cannon gun (Super Soaker), rubber band gun — essentially any “non lethal” weapon — within the city limits of Seattle?

A: It depends.

If they’re not a threat to you and you go after them, you could be arrested for assault. Things are different if they’re threatening injury and you act in self-defense.

Here’s more information from Seattle Police Sgt. Sean Whitcomb:

“It is only self-defense if you are defending yourself from harm or perceived harm.

“Citizens do have a right to protect their property interests. However, with the scenario described, it seems that the best way to do that is to call 911.”

The reader “should keep in mind that our Anti-Crime Team and vice units are either in plainclothes or undercover. Things could easily turn for the worse if he sought to take his proposed course of action against officers conducting a sting.

“My advice: Get a good description (physicals and clothes) of the suspects and a description (hopefully with license plates) of any vehicles involved and then phone it in to 911 as a crime in progress.”

Thanks to people who submitted questions. Click below for answers to previous questions and to leave comments.